William Anthony McLaughlin passed into eternal life on September 30, 2023. Bill was born in Philadelphia, PA on January 29, 1945 to William & Catherine (Cassidy) McLaughlin. He was a proud graduate of St. Monica Grade School (1958) and Bishop Neumann High School (1962). A true patriot, Bill served his country in the motor pool of the United States Army from 1966-1968. Following his service, Bill married the love of his life, Susan (Lewis) in September 1968. Bill and Sue were married for 50+ years before her passing in 2019. They celebrated their anniversary in true South Philly McLaughlin style with a party that included a visit from the Mummers. He strutted the night away with the love of his life in one hand and a Miller High Life in the other.
Bill’s work in the automotive field continued after his Army days when he worked for his family at Avellino Tire. He then drove buses and trolleys for Red Arrow (now SEPTA), where he used his uncanny ability to get anywhere without directions or maps. Bill worked at various automotive companies, including SAC Tire and Berrodin, and for many years ran his own businesses, McLaughlin Wholesale Tire & MAC’S Auto & Tire Service Center. His hardworking nature helped him to build successful businesses with loyal client bases, which provided for his family, and allowed him to put his three daughters through private Catholic schools all the way through college. In addition to providing a formal education for his girls, he also imparted valuable life lessons to them, such as how to properly load a dishwasher, how to change a tire, and how to pack a cooler or trunk for maximum storage.
“Billy from South Philly,” a nickname some new friends recently gave him, loved to read and was a master of watching TV and reading at the same time, while stretched out on the living room floor. He and Sue enjoyed traveling to new places and visiting friends. His favorite thing of all was to spend time with his family and to brag about being 100% Irish, which his daughters doubted. Much to his delight, they were proven wrong by Ancestry.com.
Bill was a devoted Catholic and parishioner of Immaculate Heart of Mary, where he served as a Eucharistic Minister and usher for many years. After losing Sue, Bill experienced multiple health challenges, including bearing the heavy cross of Alzheimer’s disease. Even with the difficulties he faced, he never lost faith and the hope of being reunited with his wife and parents again. He leaned on his family and friends to help him through and continued to find joy in many things, like having lunch with dear friends.
In addition to Sue, Bill was predeceased by his parents and beloved cousins. Bill will be dearly missed by his daughters and sons-in-law, Laura and Chris Hullinger, Terri and Tim Schauf, and Katie and Dave Hancox, as well as his grandchildren, Nate, Grace, Faith, and Gabe Hullinger, William and Natalie Schauf, and Luke and Liam Hancox. Bill will also be missed by many cherished friends.
A visitation for family and friends will be held on Sunday, October 8 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at McCrery and Harra Funeral Home (3924 Concord Pike Wilmington, DE 19803). Visitation will continue on Monday, October 9 at 10:00 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church (4701 Weldin Road Wilmington, DE 19803) with Mass of Christian Burial to begin at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Joseph on the Brandywine (10 Old Church Rd. Wilmington, DE 19807). In lieu of flowers, the family suggests monetary donations be made in Bill’s memory to The Wounded Warriors Project via https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate. Online condolences may be sent through mccreryandharra.com. To view a livestream of the Mass : https://youtube.com/live/dF1KKtqlOXQ
